Analyzing Communication for Empathic Understanding: Bridging Gaps

This essay delves into the complexities of communication for empathic understanding, specifically focusing on perceived empathy gaps and the intention to bridge them. The author reflects on their inability to fully relate to the subject, Dorota, and the challenges in communicating effectively with her. Pre-existing values and beliefs that negatively influence perceptions are examined, alongside strategies for empathic communication such as active listening, expressing concerns, and reflecting on feelings. The essay references scholarly articles on empathy, communication in healthcare, and cultural humility to support the analysis and proposed approaches for improving empathic understanding. This document is contributed by a student and is available on Desklib, a platform offering AI-based study tools and resources for students.

Communication for Empathic
Understanding

Perceived Empathy Gaps and Intention
• I am focused on discussing empathy gaps and my intention to bridge that gap
between me and my subject.
• Firstly I am not able to relate with Dorota (subject).
• I am not able to communicate on the level so that she understands me.
• At times I feel monotonous doing the job without any interest.
• Cognition is missing.
Fig 1: Empathy (Riley 2015)

Pre-existing Values and Beliefs
• I always had the belief that children getting detached from the parents have
bad past and worst future which is why I have underestimated her.
• I also feel they grow up to be anti social for not getting genuine teachings.
• They get into drugs and addiction leading to the end of the possibility of a
successful life.
• They are vagabonds and bad in nature.
• They don’t have any values become outlaws

Empathic Communication
• Active Communication with Dorota involving active listening.
• Expressing her concerns in my own language.
• Reflecting on her feelings.
• Staying with her for longer period to understand her.
• Detaching almost all the connections with parents to understand the
issue.
• Trying to relive as the other person in own way.
Fig 2: Features of Empathic
Communication (Lorié et al., 2017)

References
Riess, H., & Kraft-Todd, G. 2014. EMPATHY: a tool to enhance nonverbal communication between clinicians
and their patients. Academic Medicine, 89(8), 1108-1112.
Lelorain, S., Brédart, A., Dolbeault, S., & Sultan, S. 2012. A systematic review of the associations between
empathy measures and patient outcomes in cancer care. Psycho‐Oncology, 21(12), 1255-1264.
Pham, A. K., Bauer, M. T., & Balan, S. 2014. Closing the patient–oncologist communication gap: a review of
historic and current efforts. Journal of Cancer Education, 29(1), 106-113.
Włoszczak-Szubzda, A., & Jarosz, M. J. 2013. Professional communication competences of nurses–a review of
current practice and educational problems. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 20(1), 183-
188.
Lorié, Á., Reinero, D. A., Phillips, M., Zhang, L., & Riess, H. 2017. Culture and nonverbal expressions of
empathy in clinical settings: A systematic review. Patient education and counseling, 100(3), 411-424.
Hojat, M. 2016. Empathy in health professions education and patient care. New York, NY: Springer.
Nguyen, T. V., Hong, J., & Prose, N. S. 2013. Compassionate care: Enhancing physician–patient
communication and education in dermatology: Part I: Patient-centered communication. Journal of the
American Academy of Dermatology, 68(3), 353-e1.
Riley, J. B. 2015. Communication in nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Riess, H., & Kraft-Todd, G. 2014). EMPATHY: a tool to enhance nonverbal communication between clinicians
and their patients. Academic Medicine, 89(8), 1108-1112.

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